Modular display, partition, wall and/or space planning system

ABSTRACT

A modular display, partition, wall, and/or space planning system comprised of interlocking panels which connect to form a stable self-standing, double-sided, self-supporting display structure that utilizes a lateral and/or longitudinal interlocking slot system that solves the problem of the need for additional or any hardware to connect, reinforce, provide stands or stability, as well as to allow stacking, transport, and/or storage without the problem of removing or reinstalling any hardware, thus providing one or more advantages, unexpected results and/or solutions of comprising panels that are the substantially similar in one or more dimensions for ease of interchangeability, assembly, shipping and storage.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a modular display, partition, wall, and/or space planning system comprised of interlocking panels which connect to form a stable, self-standing, double-sided, self-supporting display structure.

BACKGROUND

Current modular panel display, partition, or wall systems, such as those used at trade shows, conventions, retail outlets, in flexible work spaces, and the like, suffer from design problems that result in undesirable features and outcomes, such as suitability for one or more of manufacture, storage, transport, shipping, assembly, and disassembly, where the dimensions, need for hardware, materials, and the like make one or more of these undesirable features.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide improved modular display, partition, or wall systems that overcome one or more of these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides different types of modular display, partition, wall, and/or space planning systems comprised of interlocking panels which connect to form a stable self-standing, double-sided, and/or self-supporting display structure that utilizes a lateral and/or longitudinal interlocking slot system that solves the problem of the need for additional or any hardware to connect, reinforce, provide stands or stability, as well as to allow stacking, transport, and/or storage without the problem of removing or reinstalling any or minimal hardware, thus providing one or more advantages, unexpected results and/or solutions comprising panels that are the substantially similar in one or more dimensions for ease of interchangeability, assembly, shipping, display elements or graphics, and/or storage. The term “modular display system” includes any system for any use, e.g., but not limited to as provided herein or as known in the art, but which can be optionally limited to exclude elements or features previously disclosed or known, selected from those listed herein or as known in the art.

The present invention can optionally provide one or more elements or features of the combination of a self-supporting modular display, partition, wall, and/or space planning system that has the same or different sized, double sided and/or interlocking panels that slide together optionally at any angle or substantially right angles, using interlocking slots closer to the edges of the panels than the centers, without additional interlocking hardware or connectors, for connecting separate panels of different or same sizes in different combinations, orientations, and/or configurations, wherein the invention in one or more embodiments can exclude one or more of a slotted right angle panel, additional hardware, additional right angle flares, sheets or panels that are used to support the panel to stand upright without additional support, or where the panels fold at an angle to provide stability or support, and/or where the panels are folded and/or at an angle of greater than, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, and/or 90 degrees as the inside angle of the fold, and/or where the folded panel is connected or stabilized by slotted connection by one panel at opposite ends of one folded first panel at least two first and/or second slots of the folded first panel with a second panel connected by third and/or fourth slots of the second panel at the opposite lateral ends of the second panel.

The invention can optionally include in one or more embodiments a self-supporting modular panel display system, partition, or wall system, comprising (a) two or more of the same or different sized, double sided and/or interlocking panels that slide together at any angle or substantially right angles, using interlocking slots closer to the edges of the panels than the centers, without additional interlocking hardware or connectors, said interlocking slots connecting separate panels of different or same sizes in different combinations, orientations, and/or configurations.

The invention can optionally include wherein one or more of (i) each of the panels are substantially flat and/or do not bend or fold to provide interlocking of said slots; (ii) the panels interlock via said interlocking slots with other panels at any angle or substantially right angles without: (a) folding or bending (e.g., but not limited to more than 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, or any range or value therein); or (b) the use of additional hardware to connect or support the panels.

The invention can optionally include wherein the panels do not comprise additional right angle flares, sheets or panels at their longitudinal ends that bend or fold or attach at an angle to provide support to the panel to stand upright without additional support.

The invention can optionally include wherein the panels comprise 3-500 (e.g., but not limited to, 3, 6, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 20, 24, 25, 30, 34, 51, 68, 85, etc.) panels and/or the panels comprise two or more of the same or different sizes.

The invention can optionally include wherein the system comprises two or panels having one or more selected from the group consisting of: knock-down, flat pattern, lightweight, design, art, photography, graphic or digital arts, video, laser cut pattern, etc., or word or logo covered, shipping standards compliant, a zigzag configuration, flat, angled, right angled configuration, stackable, interchangeable or slotted configuration or footprint; display surface or visibility of 90 to 360 degrees; dimensions that fit standard shipping box dimensions; re-usable or recyclable materials; customizable: configurations, visuals or materials; stackable configurations that allow flat pattern equipment use for manufacture, transport, or shipping, or moving; and/or configurations for minimum material waste.

The invention can optionally include wherein the system comprises panels having dimensions selected from the group consisting of 2×4, 4×4, 4×8, 8×8, 8×12 or 8×12 feet; or 1×2, 2×2, 1×3, 2×3, 2×2, 2×3, 2×4, 2×5 meters, or any scale thereof, e.g. 2/1, ½, ¼, ⅓, ⅕, ⅙, ⅛, 1/16, 1/20/ 1/32, 1/50, 1/100, or any range or value therein, or any shape, e.g., but not limited to rectangle, square, rounded, circular, oblong, or combinations thereof.

The invention can optionally include wherein the system comprises panels of standard or repeatable sized sheets that can be assembled or dismantled in one selected from the group consisting of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80, 90, 120, 150, 180, or 240 minutes that is shorter than other systems or panels that use a different interlocking system or require the use of hardware attachment or standing.

The invention can optionally include wherein the system comprises additional hardware, e.g., but not limited to, attachment, stability, additional panels, and the like, and/or for attachments, connections, support, additional panels and the like, for fixture attachments to the panels for fixtures that are not required for assembly or standing of the system.

The invention can optionally include wherein the system comprises panels as standard sized panels having dimensions selected from 2-60′ tall by 8-144″ wide by 1-8′ deep, or 1-15 meters tall by 0.25-5 meters wide by 0.15-50 inches or 0.3-127 cm deep, or any scale thereof, e.g., ½, ¼, ⅓, ⅕, ⅙, ⅛, 1/16, 1/20/ 1/32, 1/50, 1/100, or any range or value therein, which can further include horizontal panels or table top presentations and the like.

The invention can optionally include wherein the system comprises panels optionally comprising one or more of UV, heat, cold, wind, or water resistant or protective materials for use indoors or outdoors. A system according to claim 1, wherein the panels do not include: one or more of

(A) one or more panels that each fold at an angle of greater than one selected from the group consisting of 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 degrees as the inside angle of the fold: or

(B) one or more folded panels that is connected or stabilized by at least one slotted connection at each opposite lateral end of one folded first panel by at least two first and/or second slots of the folded first panel, the folded first panel connected with a second folded or flat panel connected by third and/or fourth lateral edge slots of the second panel at the opposite lateral ends of the second panel.

FIGURE DESCRIPTIONS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a non limiting example of an alternative modular sheet or panel of the invention showing examples of interlocking features; wherein alternatively sized panels 1A, 1B, and/or 1C can be used with the same or different panels by interlocking the slots 2A, 2B, and/or 2C as shown.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a non limiting example of an alternative modular sheet or panel of the invention showing examples of interlocking features;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a non limiting example of an alternative modular sheet or panel of the invention showing examples of interlocking features;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a non limiting examples of an expanded or exploded view of alternative modular sheet or panel interactions or interlocking panel configurations for providing alternative modular displays of the invention in an expanded view; and

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a non limiting example of an assembled view of alternative modular sheet or panel interactions for providing alternative modular displays of the invention in a non-expanded, assembled view.

DESCRIPTION

The invention provides a modular display, partition, wall, and/or space planning system comprised of interlocking panels which connect to form a stable self-standing, double-sided, self-supporting display structure that utilizes a lateral and/or longitudinal interlocking slot system that solves the problem of the need for additional or any hardware to connect, reinforce, provide stands or stability, as well as to allow stacking, transport, and/or storage without the problem of removing or reinstalling any hardware, thus providing one or more advantages, unexpected results and/or solutions of comprising panels that are the substantially similar in one or more dimensions for ease of interchangeability, assembly, shipping and/or storage.

Features, Elements, Design, and/or Solutions or Advantages

The invention can provide at least one of, or one or more of, advantages, features, elements, design, unexpected properties or functions, solutions, unexpected results, and/or the like, which can optionally comprise, include, consist essentially of, or consist of, one or more of modular and/or scalable (can be larger or smaller using same components); a lateral and/or longitudinal interlocking slot system with no additional hardware required or used; knock-down, flat pattern, lightweight, design, shipping standards compliant, a zigzag, angled, stackable, interchangeable, and/or slotted configuration and/or footprint, maximization or improvement of various aspects of display surface and/or visibility (20 to 45 to 90; 90 to 360 degrees, or any angle, range or value therein.); portable, lightweight, fits standard shipping boxes, re-usable and/or recyclable, customizable: configurations, graphics and/or materials; versatile configurations; shorter, easier, less steps, less expensive, faster, and/or streamlined manufacture and/or fabrication process (e.g., due to standardized flat pattern panel configuration), method or system; allows advantageous or leveraged flat pattern equipment use for manufacture, transport, or shipping, or moving; designed for minimum material waste (e.g., but not limited to using standard 2×4, 4×4, 4×8, 8×8, 8×12 or 8×12 feet; or 1×2, 2×2, 1×3, 2×3, 2×2, 2×3, 2×4, 2×5, or other meter, or any scale thereof, e.g., ½, ¼, ⅓, ⅕, ⅙, ⅛, 1/16, 1/20/ 1/32, 1/50, 1/100, or any range or value therein, standard or repeatable sheets or panels; faster, easier, less expensive, or automated or simplified construction, assembly, or take down (e.g., but not limited to, no hardware); sheets or panels assemble/dismantle in a short, easier, faster, or less expensive manner; e.g., but not limited to, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80, 90, 120, 150, 180, 240 minutes, or any range or value therein, as compared to other systems or panels that use a different interlocking system or require the use of hardware attachment or standing; hardware-free (but can use hardware for fixture attachments if needed); trade show compliant due to storage, transport, disassembly or: assembled dimensions that can be provided as standard sized panels, e.g., but not limited to (8′-0″ tall×10′-0″ wide×3′-0″ deep), or any other standard ranges or values of panels, e.g., 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and/or 3 M tall×0.33, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, etc., M wide×0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 30, etc., cm deep, or any range or value; or any scale thereof, e.g., ½, ¼, ⅓, ⅕, ⅙, ⅛, 1/16, 1/20/ 1/32, 1/64, 1/50, 1/100, or any range or value therein); indoor or outdoor applications based on use of suitable materials and/or other elements as known in the art, e.g., to address: sun exposure, wind/water resistance, etc.; providing a ‘blank canvas’ in that the industrial design quality of it alters with each new surface design printed, also the configuration chosen through assembly (for example: panels may be inserted half way to allow for a ‘window’ effect so that visitors can see through to the other side); double-sided, interchangeable, and/or full or designated coverage printable surfaces to allow for full or designated coverage visual communications, including graphics, branding, photography, and/or color treatment; design treatment can follow the inherent structural grid pattern, or break the demarcation boundaries of seams, to accomplish one larger graphic; no limitations on visual variations, including but not limited to having no to partial to complete graphics, or any combination thereof, and/or using the surfaces to write on (for example: a modular white board; high quality, aesthetically beautiful material surfaces at a fraction of the cost; USES and/or APPLICATIONS (not limited to): Trade Show Back Wall (dimensions are trade show compliant); Retail Display (Point of Purchase), scalable; Office Dividers/shared offices (suitable for open space architecture, replaces cubicle concept); White Board display tool; Photography display; temporary or Pop-up stores or retail; office space planning and dividers or cubicles; Disaster Relief divider walls; Portable Aisles or Conference and/or Presentation Display boards (talking points at scale; Small Scale: children's educational tool/toy; Home Décor—decorative screen/space divide; custom Museum Displays; Theatre Backdrops; Wedding wall: visual storytelling; temporary Changing Room (events, performances); Art Booth/Event Display (fairs, gallery showings, etc.); and/or any other display or other use.

One or more aspects of the invention can provide one or more uses and/or advantages, e.g., but not limited to trade shows, conventions, retail outlets, pop up shop display and/or space dividers; office cubicle dividers (e.g., for shared office space); show, music, video, movie, or theatre back drops or props or stage components, disaster relief, and/or temporary or permanent structures that comprise interlocking panels for any use, e.g., but not limited to, one or more of: INTERCHANGEABLE PANELS: current systems allow for a permanent message and changing this is costly for a booth or retail display (our system is modular allowing for one or all panels to be reprinted); VISIBILITY: based on a RIGHT ANGLE, STEPPED FOOTPRINT configuration, allows greater visibility for foot traffic from all directions; FLAT PATTERN DESIGN: manufacturing ease & cost effective manufacturing process (cutting, printing, shipping, storage); MASS CUSTOMIZABLE (customization without altering the structure); PROFILE SHAPE can be altered: top (curved cuts), window (sliding panels up) height (by varying number of pieces.

The panels or sheets of the invention can be made by any suitable material or combination of materials, which can include but are not limited to one or more of plastics, resins, polymers, paper, fabric, polymers, metal (e.g., but not limited to steel, iron, aluminum, brass, copper, or alloys), wood, concrete, block, tile, ceramic, brick or brick facing, recycled materials, epoxy, glass, films, and/or mixtures or combinations thereof, and the like.

FIGS. 1-3 are diagrams of a non limiting examples of alternative modular sheets or panels of the invention; wherein alternatively sized panels 1A, 1B, and/or 1C can be used with the same or different panels by interlocking the slots 2A, 2B, and/or 2C as shown.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a non limiting example of an alternative modular sheet or panel interactions or interlocking panel configurations for providing alternative modular displays of the invention in an expanded view.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a non limiting example of an alternative modular sheet or panel interactions for providing alternative modular displays of the invention in a non-expanded, assembled view.

Other embodiments, features, elements, advantages, and/or the like of the present invention would be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art based on the disclosure, claims, and/or figures of the present application, and/or all of such alternative embodiments, features, elements, advantages, are included herein, as well as what is well known in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-supporting modular display system, comprising: a. two or more of the same or different sized, double sided and interlocking panels that slide together at any angle or substantially right angles, using lateral or longitudinal interlocking slots closer to the edges of the panels than the centers, without additional interlocking hardware or connectors, said interlocking slots connecting separate panels of different or same sizes in different combinations, orientations, and configurations; wherein (i) each of the panels are substantially flat and do not substantially bend or fold to provide interlocking of said slots; (ii) the panels interlock via said interlocking slots with other panels at any angle or substantially right angles without: (a) folding or bending of the panels more than 5 degrees; or (b) the use of additional hardware to connect or support the panels; (iv) the panels do not comprise additional right angle flares, sheets or panels at their longitudinal ends that bend or fold or attach at an angle to provide support to the panel to stand upright without additional support.
 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the systems comprise 2-50 panels and the panels comprise two or more of the same or different sizes.
 3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises two or panels having one or more selected from the group consisting of: knock-down, flat pattern, lightweight, design or word covered, shipping standards compliant, a zigzag configuration, flat, angled, right angled configuration, stackable, interchangeable or slotted configuration or footprint; display surface or visibility of 90 to 360 degrees; dimensions that fit standard shipping box dimensions; re-usable or recyclable materials; customizable: configurations, graphics or materials; stackable configurations that allow flat pattern equipment use for manufacture, transport, or shipping, or moving; and configurations for minimum material waste.
 4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises panels having dimensions selected from the group consisting of 2×4, 4×4, 4×8, 8×8, 8×12 or 8×12 feet; or 1×2, 2×2, 1×3, 2×3, 2×2, 2×3, 2×4, 2×5 meters, or scales thereof selected from ½, ¼, ⅙, ⅛, 1/12, 1/16, 1/32, 1/50, 1/64 or 1/100.
 5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises panels of standard or repeatable sized sheets that can be assembled or dismantled in one selected from the group consisting of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80, 90, 120, 150, 180, or 240 minutes that is shorter than other systems or panels that use a different interlocking system or require the use of hardware attachment or standing.
 6. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises additional hardware for fixture attachments to the panels for fixtures that are not required for assembly or standing of the system.
 7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises panels as standard sized panels having dimensions selected from 1-40′ tall by 8-384″ wide by 0.15-50 inches deep, or 1-15 meters tall by 0.25-10 meters wide by or 0.3-127 cm deep.
 8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises panels that comprise UV, heat, cold, wind, or water resistant or protective materials, or natural or synthetic materials for use indoors or outdoors.
 9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the panels do not include: (A) one or more panels that each fold at an angle of greater than one selected from the group consisting of 5, 10, 15, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 100, 120, or 140 degrees as the inside angle of the fold: or (B) one or more folded panels that is connected or stabilized by at least one slotted connection at each opposite lateral end of one folded first panel by least two first and second slots of the folded first panel, the folded first panel connected with a second folded or flat panel connected by third and fourth lateral edge slots of the second panel at the opposite lateral ends of the second panel. 